January 31, 1938 – July 25, 2021
Allen was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on January 31, 1938 to Charles and Ruth Smith. They moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where they established and owned 30 Pak-a-Sak convenience stores. Allen learned about business and people from his dad and life and the Lord from his mother. His younger sister Pam Nelson (Phil) was always fun and a gifted musician. His father died when Allen was sixteen and his mother later married Wallace Nelson, who was a wonderful man and a beloved member of the family.
While in Shreveport he met the love of his life, Sandra Lee Hunt. They married in high school and have remained together for 65+ years. Sandra was his salvation and helped him learn how to succeed in life. Allen adored the Hunt family which he semi adopted as his own: E.P. (Abbie), Jerry, Gene (Betty) and Jacquie Cross (David).
He and Sandra have two wonderful sons that they treasure, each with their own loving families: Jerry, Jr. (Mashell), son Jerry III (Angela), grandson Jerry IV, daughter Adrian Spillane (Matt), grandson Isaiah and granddaughter Maggie; and: Chuck (Stacey), daughter Charlsey, son Cade.
Allen attended Oklahoma Military Academy, St. John’s High School and graduated from C.E Byrd High School in Shreveport. He went on to earn his B.S in Business with honors from Centenary College then moved on to the University of Texas at Austin where he received his Master’s in Professional Accounting also with honors.
Allen then went to Houston to work for Exxon Corporation. During his 37 year career he served in management positions as Vice President, Director and Chief Financial Officer of Esso Norway, Oslo. His career travels also took them to London for several years as Assistant Controller of Esso Europe and New York City as Assistant General Auditor of Exxon Corporation.
Upon retirement from Exxon, he taught various accounting courses at The University of Houston, Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin where he also served on the Accounting Advisory Council. He was a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Allen and Sandra retired to The Rock House on Lake Austin. The house was built in the 1930’s by Robert Redford’s maternal grandfather and became their Shangri-La, the site of family celebrations, countless social events and daily tranquility.
Not content to idle away his golden years, Allen served with the Texas State Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel, as a docent and board member of The Texas Military Forces Museum, was a member of Tarrytown United Methodist Church, Swift Class, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and SCORE. He was also a member of UT Lamp, UT Sage, Town and Gown, Symphony Knights, Lords and Ladies, Tarry House, Texas Exes Life Member, Chancellor’s Council, Flying Longhorns, Longhorn Foundation, Exxon Annuitant’s Club and his beloved Buck’s, Romeo’s and UT Sports Club.
Allen loved Sandra, his boys, family, friends, Exxon, Texas sports, running, skiing, ballooning, skydiving, traveling, the military, history, politics, books, teaching, London and the Lord.
The family wishes to thank Allen’s many healthcare professionals over the years, especially Dr.’s Roger Gammon and David Morledge.
A celebration of Allen’s life will be held at 10 o’clock on Friday July 30th at Tarrytown Methodist Church Main Sanctuary, 2531 Exposition Blvd, Austin 78703.
HONORARY PALLBARERS: Terry Blankenship, Tom Chesnut, Dudley Dobie, Lee Easter, Tom Fanning, George Gibbs, Darrell Hanshaw, Dr. Bill McCarron, Harold Jobes, Dr. Franklin Olson, George Sherman, Ernie Stromberger, Robert Smith, Gene Ware and Jim Woodrick. IN MEMORIAL: Lane Powell, J.W. Shemwell, Bryant Yopp, Steve Anderson, John Finch, Jim Hooker, Tom Gray, Larry Rawl, Dr. Dale Armstrong, Dr. Woodrow Pate, Dr. Glenn Welsch and Dr. C Aubrey Smith.
